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Morgan Rielly talks about what the Leafs need to do to change the narrative in Toronto

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Mike Armenti
May 9, 2022 (8:07 PM)

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Morgan Rielly has been through more downs than ups in his NHL career, 9 seasons, all as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs. Rielly came into the league in 2013-14, so he's certainly known disappointment. He's also experienced some individual success, but if you asked him, I'm certain he'd trade in a pair of 68+ point seasons for some postseason success.

Last summer, we saw the Leafs blow a 3-1 series lead to the 16th seed Montreal Canadiens and, thanks to the Amazon docuseries, "All or Nothing: Toronto Maple Leafs", we got to see what that disappointment looked like first hand.

All of this to say that when a guy like Rielly starts talking about the growth of the group and expressing his belief that this year's version of the team is different, maybe we should consider that they might be. Now, of course Rielly is not under any false pretenses that Leafs Nation should just blindly believe what they have yet to see. He knows that the team has to put the work in to alter people's perception and change the narrative. He confirmed as much on Monday.

I think as a group we feel like we have learned a lot in our past experiences. I think that's natural when you go through something. You reflect, you look back on what you wish you did differently. Then moving forward, you try to execute those things and I certainly feel like that is the case with our group. We've learned a lot. I think we've matured. Until you start to get those results that prove that, it's pretty difficult to have those open conversations with people who might control that narrative or might want to say that we haven't. They're free to do so. But it's on us to produce some results and proved that we've grown and matured and learned. I tend to believe that is the case. We are making steps forward, but until we get the results, obviously, that will be up in the air.

-Morgan Rielly on the Leafs doing everything they can to change the narrative surrounding the team

The Leafs have a chance to do just that with 2 wins in their next 3 games against the defending Stanley Cup Champs. Talk about the hardest path out of the first round - this would probably be it. If the Leafs can shock the Lightning and move on to round two for the first time in 18 years, Rielly may be right about the team, at its core, being different.

Previously on MapleLeafsDaily

Here's an unbelievable Justin Holl stat from Game 4

Breaking: Pierre McGuire fired by the Ottawa Senators

Sheldon Keefe admits there are some big decisions to make ahead of Game 5

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